The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-10-12
MINING UP ROYAL BABIES.
woman who Tells a Curious Story OF q
Lost Birthright-Is She the Real
Princess Victorian

There is q women in this city, says the
New York Times, who claims to be the
Oldest daughter of Victoria, queen of En-
Gland. She claims to have been defrauded
If her rights, and to be the real Princess
Victoria, formerly princess royal Of En-
Gland, and now the wife of the crown prince
II Germany, Her claims seem naturally
nreposterous. Tt is, however, said to be
substantiated to a degree that makes it
somewhat interesting. If it should hap
Den by any strange chance to be true the
scandal of the country has appeared. She
bears a strong resemblance in face and
figure to that queen of England whose
daughter she claims to be. When she ar
rived here she was on the pension roll of
the British government, according to her
story, and did not desire to altogether de
stroy what for years had been her means
of support and hopes of recognition. Now,
however, her attempts to obtain favor and
support having proved futile, she had writ
ten book setting forth her history, with
documents, correspondence, etc, intended
to establish its authenticity. Her story is
briefly as follows: In 1910 Queen Victoria
vent to Germany and proposed to and
subsequently married Albert Edward.
Before this, however, the prince consort
had contracted a morganatic marriage
With young lady Of the court, Countess
Ress. The queen was thoroughly de
7oted wife and not little jealous Of her
handsome Prince Albert. Consequently
the princes opportunities for visiting his
morganatic wife we're 'few and far be-
tween" Notwithstanding this close su-
peryision, however, the story goes ito re-
late that within few days of the time
when the queen presented her loyal sub
jects with bran new princess the young
Countess de Reiss gave daughter to the
world. The young countess chafed at the
neglect which circumstances Of the prince
commanded. She, however, found a
means of sending him message that he
must see her. The prince tremblingly
obeyed. The countess declared that she
would denounce him to the world unless
,he performed some act which would show
the devotion he had SO often protested.
"You have won a seat beside a throne"
she said. Il can't share that seat with
you, but my daughter must be beside her
father. There is only one way to accom-
pish this. Give me the child Of the
queen and let my child be reared as a
daughter Of the queen" When Albert
looked at his two little daughters he was
surprised at seeing the likeness they bore
to one another Terrified beyond meas
ure at the threats of the countess, he re-
luctantly consented Here enters But
tercup. Taking advantage Of the inno-
cence,of court ways Of the little princess
nurse, one day she brought the queens
child away and substituted the child of
the Countess de Reiss. Strangely enough,
the nurse never discovered the change.
The result is that the countess daughter |
is the first lady in the German empire,
while the queens daughter is now trap
ping American eagles in the streets OF !
New York The woman, whether she be {
dyenturess or not, tells a queer and not !
interesting story. Her earliest recol- {
ections, she says, were those Of a convent
b Paris. She was raised there, and when t
she grew to womanhood was always t
handsomely supported by people I
whom she supposed to be relatives in
England She has for years been pen
aoner on the English government. Up to
eight years ago she never lacked money, !,
and lived not only comfortably, but luxu- :
1ously. When her funds began to fail :
She began to investigate. She made in
lQires which finally convinced her Of the :
ruth Of her present claims. She has let !
1ers from John Brown and other eminent :
EngIishmen in authority. =